Nuptials: Danielle Oeffler and John Dawson

When meeting new people, one can never be sure what role that new person will play in one’s life. They could become a friend — a best friend, perhaps. Or they could leave just as quickly as they entered. But, in some very special cases, they could become someone even more special — the love we keep so close to our hearts, it’s as if they help it beat with their bare hands — even when they’re a world away. Danielle Oeffler, 30, and John Dawson, 39, are easily a combination of every possibility.

In 2003, Danielle met John, from Schenectady, through mutual friends. Their outgoing personalities and shared interest in basketball sparked an immediate friendship.

A month later, John, a U.S. Marine, was deployed to Iraq for a little more than six months. Danielle, a Green Island native, took to writing letters and sending care packages to comfort him, keeping him connected to home. Danielle would keep John up to date with game scores, especially when his favorite team — the Dallas Cowboys — would play. They would write to each other about what was happening in their lives; anything that came to their minds when the pen hit the paper. It was natural … and powerful.

Despite the distance, each letter brought John and Danielle closer together. So close, in fact, that a few months after John returned home, Danielle knew by his openly honest nature that John was the one for her. John felt that no matter what, Danielle would always be there for him. After all, her thoughtful letters and packages filled with love touched him on the other side of the world. He imagined what they could become side by side.

They became a couple deeply in love.

July 9, 2010, John arrived home from picking up Danielle’s birthday gift. Danielle had picked out a black diamond cocktail ring for her right hand. She excitedly bugged John, pleading for her present. Giving in, John went to his car to retrieve it while Danielle waited on the couch. John sat next to Danielle and simply slipped the ring on her ringer. Danielle let out a gasp while staring at her left hand. She expected a ring, but she didn’t expect there to be a bright, shining diamond, offering the promise of forever.

“Is this the ring I think it is?” She asked, heart pounding.

John said yes.

Today, John and Danielle surround themselves with love from John’s 15-year-old son and their 5-year-old daughter. With John currently in the Army National Guard, Danielle holds down the fort when he’s away at training — sometimes for weeks. However, she feels lucky that missing each other is their biggest obstacle.

“I am very proud of him. He is only gone — at most — three weeks at a time. But, I feel like a day is too long. I still get butterflies when he walks into a room. He is my heart”, she says.

John and Danielle will exchange vows Oct. 14 at Century House in Latham. They are planning to escape for a weekend honeymoon after becoming husband and wife. April 2012, they will take their family to Disney World, to celebrate forever all over again.

Amanda Talar

5 Responses

Congrats Danielle & John! And Amanda- I keep saying this but you always do an amazing job writing these. You should really write a book about romance- I’m not a big fan of the genre but I would definitely read your book!

Awe! Beautiful love story! I love you both so much! I couldn’t be any happier for my brother and to gain Danielle as a sister. Danielle you truly are perfect for my brother. You always make sure that John’s up to date on his family and friends. I can’t wait for your wedding day! You both deserve to be happy and in love.